“Slew Of Teams” Wanting Mike Evans
February 24th, 2024
Possible Mike Evans suitors.
Yesterday Joe was listening to the podcast “GM Shuffle” with former NFL suit Michael Lombardi talking free agency. Lombardi said rarely are more than two teams fighting over the same free agent.
Mike Evans, however, is a rare free agent.
Bound for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Evans is the rare receiver who not only is elite but also has a ring and is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, leading the NFL in touchdown catches.
Evans is likely hitting the open market when the free agency dinner bell rings March 13. (This is after two days of legal tampering.)
NFL insider Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report noted in a video report that there will be a “slew” of teams trying to sign Evans.
In fact, Schultz thinks these are the five teams to watch.
Carolina
The Dave Canales connection is obvious here. And Joe knows how much Evans not just respected Canales, but liked Canales and enjoyed how Canales used him. Evans often said Canales had him running routes he had previously never run. Schultz added Carolina is desperate for wide receiver help.Detroit
Schultz believes the Lions are just one physical receiver away from being lethal. A red zone target like Evans is just what they need.Kansas City
The Chiefs lack a big-time receiver, yet still won the Super Bowl in consecutive seasons. Adding Evans alongside an aging Travis Kelce would go a long way to greasing the wheels for the Chiefs’ goal of a Super Bowl three-peat.New York Jets
Lining up Evans opposite Garrett Wilson gives quarterback Aaron Rodgers an irresistible pair of targets that Rodgers has long craved.New England
The Patriots are desperate for any help at the skill positions.
“For me, [those five teams] make a lot of sense for Mike Evans for a whole host of reasons,” Schultz said.
From Evans’ perspective, not sure why he would even consider New England. His 1,000-yard receiving streak is very important to him. Not only is the new coaching staff in New England unproven if not unknown, who is their quarterback?
Joe has always maintained and will continue to do so, that Houston is a team to watch.
Evans lives in the Houston area, is a native of nearby Galveston. And adding Evans to that young receiving group with C.J. Stroud throwing the ball, Evans signing with the Texans just may make Houston the AFC favorite to reach the Super Bowl.
Houston now has $67 million in cap space for 2024 as a result of yesterday’s NFL team cap increase.
February 24th, 2024 at 12:13 am
Keep him for anything under 30 mil/yr. Also remind him about no state tax and not having to relocate his family/children/etc. Retire a Buccanneer 🫡
February 24th, 2024 at 12:29 am
Texas doesn’t have state income tax either.
$50 million for Mike and Chris yet again is too much.
Mike is gone get used to it.
Start doing your research on draft possibilities and it will help with the depression.
February 24th, 2024 at 12:33 am
I think the biggest question could end up being will the Jets unretire #13
February 24th, 2024 at 12:34 am
Just tag him and be done with it.
February 24th, 2024 at 12:37 am
Bye Mike.
February 24th, 2024 at 12:39 am
Agreed , tag the dude.
February 24th, 2024 at 2:30 am
Waiting and waiting….what are we doing with Baker? And I dont blame him….
February 24th, 2024 at 2:46 am
he gone
February 24th, 2024 at 2:48 am
licht letting evans hit FA means he is gone
baker gets tagged…which is fine…make him prove it again
mike wants too much…team first…evans last
February 24th, 2024 at 2:51 am
Man this one tough but I respect 🙏 Mike too much. 💯 If Mike goes home 🏡 😢 to Houston so be it. I’ll be rooting for in a Texans uniform.
February 24th, 2024 at 3:09 am
Idiotic take from Lardombi.
If Mike goes anywhere besides Bucs it’s Houston.
February 24th, 2024 at 3:39 am
Paying lots of money for 30 year old WRs is not good business…. however Mike might be the exception.
February 24th, 2024 at 4:17 am
If the Bucs are truly worried about paying too much in certain player groups (WR, Secondary) they should trade the overpaid underperforming players for draft picks to draft their replacements. Trade Godwin now and draft his replacement on day 2. Godwin isn’t a #1 able to replace Evans. He’s a top end #2. You let Evans walk and draft his replacement or trade Godwin. Otherwise you will be having this discussion again next year.
Same for CDIII or Dean. Keep one and trade the other. This will get you out of the salary cap problems and void years also.
February 24th, 2024 at 5:38 am
I can see Houston taking Mike, especially now with $67 million in cap space. This is becoming real now. We could lose Mike Evans. Also not ruling out KC, Pats, and the Jets as a landing place either. But Mike’s home is Texas.
Agree with Grace Point. No matter where Mike goes, I will be cheering for him too. This is a tough one losing.
February 24th, 2024 at 5:45 am
They’re negotiating with Mayfield and Evans. Bidding them against each other. One gets a long term deal with a big bonus. The other gets the tag. Who will give a break to get the longer term deal?
It’s a genius strategy.
February 24th, 2024 at 5:54 am
With all due respect, I don’t feel that bidding against each other is a genius strategy especially when they both have interests from other teams for probably a better deal. We could end up losing both and get worse. If Mike leaves, Baker and the team will definitely feel it.
February 24th, 2024 at 6:42 am
KC makes sense. He will have an opportunity to be a part of an historic 3-peat. That would definitely cement his HOF status. Not that he needs it, in my opinion. I think he’ll enjoy being wined and dined and eventually return to the team that drafted him.
February 24th, 2024 at 6:44 am
Just franchise the guy for about $22mil and negotiate a longer term deal later.
February 24th, 2024 at 7:23 am
I have to agree with Jose about Houston.
February 24th, 2024 at 7:35 am
I bet Vince rolls over whenever JBF quotes Mike Lombardi the Clown.
February 24th, 2024 at 7:42 am
It’s time to end all the drama. Give Mayfield a 4-year deal and ME a 3-year deal. Use the new found money to pay them and franchise Winfield. And also pay LD too.
February 24th, 2024 at 7:44 am
I hate to see Mike go but he should be able to finish his career wherever he wants. Thank him for being the one bright spot of the Bucs over the years.
February 24th, 2024 at 7:46 am
Mike has earned the right to create the own ending to a great legacy. Whether it be in Tampa or not. All us Bucs fans ask if you do hit free agency and go to another team. When you are ready to call it a career. Sign the one day contract with Tampa and retire a buccaneer.
February 24th, 2024 at 7:58 am
Letting a HOFr go for a QB that’s career year was average at best and likely to regress…..Brilliant!!!!! If that’s what they do.
February 24th, 2024 at 8:50 am
The franchise tag for Evans isn’t just under 21 million but almost 29 millon. Therefore the Bucs can’t use the tag on him if they did they couldn’t keep Mayfield. If they tag anyone it will be Winfield or Mayfield. The Vikings let Diggs go and replaced him with Jefferson. They could also trade Godwin but I doubt anyone will trade for him at his salary. I think they will try to sign Mayfield and Winfield and let Evans test the free agent market.
February 24th, 2024 at 8:54 am
This G.M. will let a loyal player like Evans walk, and draft a punter in the first round. Then he will overpay for a quarterback, no other team is interrested in, what a joke.
February 24th, 2024 at 9:07 am
If Evans finds a deal worth taking I doubt the Bucs nix it with the Tag. As far as Detroit? Why? They were second in passing to Miami by 100 yards. Unless Mike can cover a slot receiver Lions don’t need him.
As far as the others the only one that looks appetizing is KC and only if a shot at another ring is worth playing in MO in December and January.
For all anyone knows. Evans could end up taking throws from Jameis again in Denver.
February 24th, 2024 at 9:23 am
No “slew of teams” wanting Mayfield? Hard to imagine after all the puff pieces on him.
February 24th, 2024 at 9:24 am
Moronic talking head listed NY and New England over Houston?
Its obvious this guy didnt do a shred of research before flapping his gums… Typical. This is why I don’t listen to talking heads anymore.
February 24th, 2024 at 10:04 am
There may be a slew of teams that want to talk to ME but my guess is that his list is short.
February 24th, 2024 at 10:16 am
BucsGuy gets it. The salary cap dictates how good teams put their rosters together and we would have far too much money tied up with both the WR and DB groups.. if both Dean and Davis are truly better in man coverage, but that’s not a coverage that Todd is ever going to rely on… We’re wasting money watching those two guys inconsistently struggle some weeks. I love Evans, and Will always appreciate the years he gave us, but this may be the time to say goodbye to one of the Bucs all-time greats in order to keep ourselves financially competitive going forward.
February 24th, 2024 at 10:48 am
KC and Houston seem like the only places he would go in my opinion.
Maybe, maybe the Jets to play with A-Aaron.
February 24th, 2024 at 10:54 am
Just because Canales is familiar with Canales doesn’t mean a thing. They’ve known each other 1 year and obviously he doesn’t need him to get his yards. Plus that roster sucks
February 24th, 2024 at 11:22 am
Here are the PER GAME stats for Mike Evans with each QB during his career with the Bucs:
Glennon: 84.28 yds/game; 0.857 TDs/game
McCown: 66.27 yds/game; 0.727 TDs/game
Winston: 82.4 yds/game; 0.500 TDs/game
Fitzpatrick: 89.4 yds/game; 0.615 TDs/game
Brady: 67.3 yds/game; 0.702 TDs/game
Mayfield: 73.8 yds/game; 0.765 TDs/game
IMHO, Mike Evans is the #1 free agent the Bucs must sign, because HE makes every QB he plays with BETTER. He even made Johnny Manziel a first round draft pick.
tickrdr
February 24th, 2024 at 1:24 pm
I believe your right Joe playing in your hometown the last few years of your career is something a lot of players dream of. If Houston offers him a pretty good contract thats where he probably land. Schulz doesn’t realize Mike thrives on the playoffs and three of the five teams he mentioned sucks. Maybe KC and the Lions after Houston.
February 24th, 2024 at 1:26 pm
Coming right down to it Mike will probably stay with the Bucs unless Licht tries to low ball him.
February 24th, 2024 at 1:58 pm
Luv my Bucs and Luv Mike Evans. But when that free agency dinner bell rings in a few weeks, Get your paper Mike. You don’t have much longer to play. To hell with a hometown discount. Make yo Paper.!
February 24th, 2024 at 3:37 pm
Tagging Evans is not going to happen people! They are not going to pay him more than 28 million dollars for 2024. Tag will most likely be used on Winfield at around 17 million.
February 25th, 2024 at 11:18 pm
Bucman you are correct People who say tag Evans or Baker are not thinking
February 26th, 2024 at 12:11 pm
I would sign Baker to a 4 year, $150 million, $100 mil guaranteed deal. Far below market value, but shows him you value him. There are several teams that want him too. Don’t kid yourselves. And it keeps him from going to Atlanta to remind us of our mistake to not sign him.
I would offer ME a 3 year $75 million, $50 mill guaranteed deal. If he doesn’t take it, franchise him and continue to work on it.
I would pay AWJ whatever the highest guy at the position gets paid plus 10%. He will take it and it will be cheaper than paying Mike $30 million a year.